Building brand equity with environmental communication: an empirical investigation in France

TLDR

Existing CSR research has not examined how CSR communication specifically affects brand equity. The study investigates how a firm’s environmental communication influences brand equity via the strength and favorability of brand environmental associations. A between‑subjects experiment with 165 French consumers tests the hypotheses. Environmental communication strengthens brand environmental associations, boosting brand equity, especially when the cause aligns with the brand and the claim is credible.

Abstract

Abstract Purpose – Using Keller's brand equity framework, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of the firm's environmental communication on brand equity, and specifically its impact on brand image, through the strength and favourability of brand environmental associations. Design/methodology/approach – A between‐subjects experimental design tests the hypotheses with a generalisable sample of 165 French consumers. Findings – Environmental communication positively influences the strength and favourability of brand environmental associations, therefore improving brand equity. Two moderators reinforce the impact of environmental communication on brand equity through the strength of brand environmental associations: the perceived congruence between the brand and the cause, and the perceived credibility of the claim. Practical implications – In the context of greater consumer pressure regarding business ethics, managers should favour environmental arguments in their corporate communication to improve brand image through societal associations. Doing so, they should focus their communication on causes that are congruent with their brands to facilitate brand equity building, and ensure they are credible when proclaiming these arguments. Originality/value – Despite existing research on corporate social responsibility (CSR), no studies focus on the specific impact of CSR communication on brand equity. The paper provides initial empirical evidence about the positive effect of environmental claims on customer‐based brand equity.